Technical Matters

Question 1

Why should headlights be aligned?

Answer 1

Enables the driver to see properly

Question 2

What effect could incorrectly aligned headlights have?

Answer 2

Could dazzle oncoming drivers

Question 3

How frequently should headlights be checked?

Answer 3

Daily before driving

Question 4

What effect can a broken lens have on headlights?

Answer 4

Reduce and distort the beam

Question 5

If you wish to drive at night but the right headlight bulb is blown, what should you do?

Answer 5

Not drive until the bulb is replaced

Question 6

How would a driver know that a brake-light bulb is not working?

Answer 6

By standing at the rear and checking as another person presses the brake pedal

Question 7

Can you drive on a public road when brake lights aren’t working?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What should a driver do if a system warning light lights up while driving?

Answer 8

Stop and check the problem

Question 9

What is the purpose of the red reflectors at the rear of the vehicle?

Answer 9

Reflect light at night to make other road users aware of the vehicle

Question 10

When a driver operates the indicator switch and hears a more rapid clicking noise than normal, what could this mean?

Answer 10

An indicator bulb may have blown

Question 11

What does anti-lock braking system do?

Answer 11

Prevents the wheels from locking under harsh braking conditions

Question 12

If the brake pedal feels soft or spongy when applied, what does this mean?

Answer 12

Fault in the brake fluid system

Question 13

If a driver applies the foot brake and hears a scraping noise, what is the most likely cause?

Answer 13

Brake linings or pads are worn

Question 14

What may indicate a problem with the vehicle’s braking system?

Answer 14

Stopping ability is affected

Question 15

After changing a wheel what should be checked after a short distance?

Answer 15

Wheel nut tightness

Question 16

When driving an automatic vehicle, what should the driver be aware of?

Answer 16

Engine braking power is reduced

Question 17

What does a rev counter provide information on?

Answer 17

Engine revolutions

Question 18

If the engine power is lower than normal, what should a driver do?

Answer 18

Have the vehicle checked by a competent person

Question 19

What is the purpose of engine oil?

Answer 19

Lubricates the engine

Question 20

If the oil pressure gauge shows little or no pressure, or the warning light comes on, what could the problem be?

Answer 20

Oil level is low

Question 21

What happens if the vehicle’s engine oil is not changed as required?

Answer 21

Engine may suffer increased wear

Question 22

If the vehicle’s oil-pressure gauge is low or the red oil-pressure warning light comes on, what should the driver do?

Answer 22

Drive to a safe place, stop the vehicle and check the oil level

Question 23

What should a driver do before checking the engine oil level?

Answer 23

Make sure the engine is switched off and cold

Question 24

What should you do if while driving there is a strong smell of fuel?

Answer 24

Stop where safe and investiage

Question 25

What does the warning light or red zone on a fuel gauge mean?

Answer 25

Level of fuel in the tank is low

Question 26

When is it recommended to use coolant?

Answer 26

All year round

Question 27

What should you do if the temperature gauge shows red?

Answer 27

Stop in a safe place and have the problem investigated

Question 28

What should you do if you notice steam rising from the engine compartment?

Answer 28

Stop where safe and investigate the cause

Question 29

If you notice that part of the car's body have rusted what should you do?

Answer 29

Have it repaired by a competent repair shop

Question 30

What effect can a worn shock absorber have?

Answer 30

causes the vehicle to 'bounce' in an unstable manner

Question 31

What happens if the vehicle has a flat battery?

Answer 31

The engine will not start

Question 32

What is the primary purpose of the battery fitted to a petrol or diesel powered motor engine?

Answer 32

To start the engine

Question 33

What effect would a weak battery have on a vehicle's driving performance?

Answer 33

None

Question 34

What should a driver be able to see in the vehicle mirrors when they are properly adjusted?

Answer 34

The area behind and to the side of the vehicle

Question 35

What should the driver be able to see in the exterior mirrors?

Answer 35

Area to the side of the vehicle

Question 36

What should the driver do if the exterior mirrors are covered by mud and dust?

Answer 36

Clean them with a cloth or tissue before starting the journey

Question 37

When a driver is making a left-hand turn, what mirrors should they particularly concentrate on?

Answer 37

Interior and left exterior mirror

Question 38

What effect can wet weather have on a vehicle's exterior mirrors?

Answer 38

Water droplets can obscure the reflected image

Question 39

What does blue smoke coming from the vehicle's exhaust mean?

Answer 39

The engine is burning oil

Question 40

What is the effect of a worn exhaust?

Answer 40

The filtering of fumes is reduced and the engine noise is louder

Question 41

What effect can a faulty exhaust system have?

Answer 41

It can increase the vehicle's noise and pollution levels

Question 42

What is the purpose of a catalytic converter?

Answer 42

It filters exhaust gases and reduces air pollution

Question 43

What does the speed rating of a tyre indicate?

Answer 43

The maximum speed for which the tyre is designed

Question 44

Why should the valve be replaced when having a tubeless tyre fitted?

Answer 44

To ensure the tyre will remain inflated

Question 45

After changing a wheel on a vehicle, which of the following should be checked soon afterwards?

Answer 45

The wheel nuts

Question 46

In general, how often should a driver check the tyre pressure of a vehicle?

Answer 46

Regularly

Question 47

What is the main reason for maintaining the correct tyre pressures?

Answer 47

To help provide optimum road holding

Question 48

A fault in which component may lead to uneven or excessive tyre wear?

Answer 48

Suspension

Question 49

What can be affected by driving on under-inflated tyres?

Answer 49

Fuel consumption

Question 50

When should tyre pressure be checked?

Answer 50

When tyres are cold

Question 51

What effect does low tyre pressure have?

Answer 51

Braking and cornering are impaired

Question 52

During a weekly check, a driver notices a badly worn front tyre. What should they do?

Answer 52

Have the worn tyre replaced

Question 53

What effect could hitting or mounting the kerb have on a vehicle's tyres?

Answer 53

It could damage the sidewalls

Question 54

What does worn tread along the edge of the inside of a tyre suggest?

Answer 54

Steering alignment may be faulty

Question 55

What should a driver do in relation to their tyres before a long journey?

Answer 55

Check the tyres are inflated to normal air pressure

Question 56

Under what circumstances would a driver increase the air pressure in the tyres?

Answer 56

When taking a long journey with additional passengers

Question 57

What is an effect of under-inflated tyres on a vehicle?

Answer 57

Impaired braking and steering

Question 58

What can be affected by driving on under-inflated tyres?

Answer 58

Braking abillity

Question 59

What should the driver do to secure the vehicle when changing a front nearside wheel?

Answer 59

Ensure that the vehicle cannot roll when jacked up

Question 60

When driving at higher speeds, what does a continuous vibration in the steering indicate?

Answer 60

The wheel balance is uneven

Question 61

What is the most common cause of heavy steering?

Answer 61

Under-inflated tyres

Question 62

When driving where should the driver rest their left foot?

Answer 62

On the floor or foot rest